Dispensing display cabinet



Feb. 14, 1961 'r. H. ALLEGRI DISPENSING DISPLAY CABINET 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 11, 1955 m M a @253 a 1 1 M v f/af r M w my a m my? ,TTIII nwa r Ii E.

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(FROZEN Focus-1 (FROZEN Poo0s\ Feb. 14, 1961 T. H. ALLEGRI DISPENSING DISPLAY CABINET 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 11, 1955 INVENTOR Feb. 14, 1961 T. H. ALLEGRI 2,971,675

DISPENSING DISPLAY CABINET Filed March 11, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 l I In .IN Al 3 FROSTED JUICE 29 AD 28 CARD 4 IN V EN TOR.

U ied W8 a Q DISPENSING DISPLAY CABINET Theodore H. Allegri, College Park, Md.

Filed Mar. 11, 1955, Ser. No. 493,680

6 Claims. (Cl. 221-124) This invention relates to a display cabinet for frozen foods, other packaged and canned goods, or other vendable or displayable items and has for its principal object the provision of a cabinet in which packages or cans will be displayed and purveyed directly to the consumer, and from which the consumer can conveniently remove any package or item, while maintaining the contents in a condition acceptable to the consumer, especially for goods purveyed in a frozen state.

An object of this invention isto provide a display cabinet that can be comprised of single or tiered units, in tandem or not, as the case may be, each unit capable of being made interchangeable with base and canopy.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic sealing means for each shelf of the said display cabinet which will seal the cabinet immediately after each vendable o'r displayable item has been removed therefrom and to so construct the said display case that a layer of cold air will envelop the shelf, shelf panels, and the packaged or canned goods contained therein.

Another objectof this invention is to provide removable and interchangeable shelf panel units so that displays or combinations of packaged or' canned goods may be made at the convenience of the displayer or vendor.

Another object of this invention is to provide for the removal of the shelf panel units for the purposes of repairing the mechanism, adding to, or subtracting from the outward or inward dimensional properties of the said panel units, and otherwise changing the dimensions to conform to the shape and characteristics of the article to be displayed or vended. i

A further object of this invention is to provide a spring actuated mechanism that does not require the remover of the merchandise to return the shelf to retracted position, since once the merchandise has been removed and the shelf has been released, the shelf will return to its original position in the 'said display cabinet and in so doing it will automatically load itself with the next item contained in the aforesaidshelf panel unit.

A further object of this-invention is to provide a means for partially removing the shelf panel from thesaid cabinet in order that merchandise may be loaded into the said shelf panel units upon depletion of the supply of vendable or displayable items contained therein.

Still another object of this invention is to provide side panel storage, loading vendin'gfand/or display space for canned merchandise in: the said cabinet, whi h canned merchandise will'lie refrigerated if required or desirable by exposure to refrigerating coils, plates, roll-bond sheets, or the like. 4

Another object of this invention is to provide a means for disposing of overseleeted,-or unwanted articles, means being provided wherein the purchaser may place them I in the said cabinet.

Farther objects are to provide for an adequate display .of advertising. signs and messages on the said cabinet and to'provide a canopy for the said cabinet which will con- 2 tain either a still, reel-type, or animated display advertising sign therein.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein I have shown the preferred form in which I have contemplated applying the principles of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred display cabinet;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of two double-deck display cabinets arranged in tandem;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the display.

cabinet, the section being taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the shelf unit, the section being taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the shelf panel, taken in the direction of the arrows 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, taken in the direction of the arrows 66 of Fig. 4, illustrating how the packaged articles are placed into the shelf panel unit;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of a shelf unit showing the shelf extension leaves in the shelf returned or retracted position;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, showing the disposition of the shelf extension leaves and the spring which actuates them, all in the shelf returned position;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the said display cabinet showing the method whereby the merchandise is removed from the cabinet;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, of the said display cabinet showing the springactuated shelf extension leaves in the extended position, and showing the lifting effect that the specific shape of the foremost shelf extension leaf has on the load of packaged articles above the said leaf;

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the display cabinet showing two similar end panels which provide for can dispensin'g, the lower unit of which is shown rotated around on hinges to the loading or open position;

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the can dispensing side panel of the said display cabinet, the section being taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 11; v

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the said display cabinet canopy showing the means for providing advertising displays, messages, or the like;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the said display cabinet canopy, the section being taken on line 14-14 of Fig.'1313;-.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the unwanted, or overselected article disposal unit of the said display cabinet;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the unwanted or overselected article disposal unit of the said display cabinet, the section being taken on line 16- 16 of Fig. 15; and,

Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the shelf panel unit of the said display cabinet showing alternate framing details and rectangular packages contained therein.

Referring to the drawings in detail and first particularly to Figs. l-3 the said display cabinet is comprised of an outer insulated canopy 20, a base 2'1, and either one or two shelf panel unit holders 22 and 22', respectively, said uppermost holder showing, in one form, instructions 23 and a view 24 of the manner in which the said display cabinet dispenses. The lowermost unit 22' as shown in Fig.1 has provided in the side panel 25 a means for the dispensing of canned goods from a plurality of sliding doors 26. Pockets 27 and 28 have been provided in said side panels for the purposeof containing suitable labels 29 and 30 to designate adequately the contents of the said dispensing mechanism contained in the said side'panel's. F;

Both shelf panel unit holders 22and 22' maybe provided with canned goods dispensing mechanisms-and the means for maintaining said canned goods in a refrigerated condition for dispensing,'as will more fully hereinafter appear. i

The. front of the insulated display cabinet is formed by a plurality of shelf panel units 31, each-panel having a plurality of shelf ejection racks .32 '(Fig. 3) that are independently operated. The front 33 of the canopy 20 of the said display cabinet contains provision for various advertising media 34 such as placards,.reel-type mov- :ing signs, or animated electrical, or flash type display signs. Temperature indicators, or thermometers 35 are provided for at the base of each of the said shelf panel holder units 22 and 22' to provide visual evidence' of proper storage temperatures-maintained by'the said cabi- "net units. Also,- in the: said base unit '21 is a hinged co.v

ered opening 36 designated unwanted boxes for the -purpose'of providing the'user of said cabinet with a .refrigerated and insulated receptacle, as the case may be, :for returning unwanted boxes or other overselected merchandise such as canned goods and maintaining said goods in an acceptable condition for future use. The unwanted boxes receptacle 36 as illustrated in Fig. 1 is centered in the base unit 21 with a chute'37-provided to drop .theoverselected merchandise 'into a side panel container 38 which may be emptied periodically in order to replace the'overselected merchandise into their proper places in the shelf panel units 31. The base unit 21 contains provision for ventilation of the refrigerator mechanism through the slotted openings 40. i The canopy 20 is provided with a means for advertising the contents of said display cabinet, as for example a sign 39.

1 Fig. '2 shows two double deck display. cabinets. arranged in tandem. .An alternate method ofproviding for overselcctedmerchandise is shown in the two frontal covered openings 36' and in the refrigerated and insulated container 38 which is used as a receptacle for storing unwanted or overselected merchandise in a suitable refrigerated condition. In addition, the slotted openings or jlouvres 40' required for ventilations are shown disposed on either side of the unwanted boxes insulated container 38' in the base unit 21'. V

Fig. 3 shows an uppermost shelf panel unit 31 in the loading position fully loaded with rectangular packages .74. 'The shelf panel unit 31 is held in the loading position by a slot 41 in the floor of said unit, the rigid panel backplate 42, and the lip 43 formed by the projection 'of the backplate. The lowermost shelf panel unit 31 is held in the loading position by a similar disposition of slotted space 44 in the floor'of thesaid unit, the lip 45 of the uppermost unit, and its own panel backplate 42: The shelf panel 31 is grasped by lowering the front panel flap 135 that is held in an upright or closed position by the spring 136 about the hinge 137. The shelf panel unit 31 is composed of a rigid, box-type framing com .prising a plurality of horizontal strips 46 of metal or the like material, and a plurality of vertical strips 47 which are welded or suitably fastened to the horizontal strips 46 and the backplate 42. Both the uppermost shelf panel unit holder 22 and the lowermost shelf panel unit holder 22' are identical in construction and operation, as may be seen in Fig. 3, thus making these units interchangeable. If desired, the said display cabinet may be comprised of a canopy 20, only one shelf panel unit holder, either 22 or 22', and the base unit 21 or 21'. l

. In the base, unit 21 of said display cabinet the top layer is suitably insulated as at 53 to-maintain the proper storage temperature for frozen. or-perishable -merchan'- contains the refrigerant which enables the proper cold storage temperatures to be maintained. The refrigeration mechanism and the manner of its application to the structure shown do not comprise a part of this invention.

Provision has been made in the base unit 21 for refrigeration equipment, such as compressors and pumps, and in the rear, wall 138, in the side-wells 57, and in the canopy well 56 for pipes, coils, and roll-bond sheet metal refrigerating units, and the like, and 'for fans, blowers, and defrosting equipmentand thelike. Thus,-the details of the refrigeration plant and the connections between the several refrigerating units mentioned above and the plant are not illustrated, as .thesevare the usual plant equipment and well known to those skilled in the art of refrigeration. The arrow 58 points to the direction in which the pipe 55 shown must be extended in order to be conjoined with the refrigeration mechanism contained in the said base unit 21. The louvres ;40 are shown in the front wall of the" said base unit 21 of which the numeral 59 findicatesthe floor of-said'base unit2-1 "and the numeral'60 indicates the service door: in'the rear .wall-61. Y Thefront of the said shelf panel unit holder 31 is comprised of aplurality of insulated panels 62 with slotted holders63 for advertising placards 64* and the-like. The front canopy wall 65 contains a recess 66 from which advertising media 67 maybe displayed. Fluorescent light tubes 68 or the like may be placed so that they illuminate boththe advertising media 67 and the shelf handles 49; A reflective surface 69 is providedtofincrease the illumination provided from the lights 68...

Referring now particularly to Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the

rectangularfpackages are supported bythe floor of the shelf 48 (Fig.4:). Each ejection unit hasa similar floor 43. The shelf handle 49; is shown in the retracted, or 9 of packages 74 (Fig. 5) in a vertical column and guide canopy'well 56 and in the rear wall 138 of said cabinet the packages 74 into theshelf ejection; rack 32. The handle 49 is shown with -s-trips'70 on-both sides and the bottom of- -the handle, to provide a pocket for the insertion of advertising media 71- in the handle 49. The

vhandle 49 as shown in Fig. 4 may be metal, glass, plastic or the like material. If transparent material is used in its construction the advertising media 71 may or may not be used in the handle 49, as the contents of the shelfmay be viewed by the user of the said display cabinet. The shelf ejection rack32 is arrested from too extensive extraction of the said rack by stops 83 on 'each side of the shelf ejection rack 32'as they strike the forward vertical strips 75. a The dotted lines 72 show the handle 49 extended for the purpose of extracting, a package 73'from the shelf' ejection rack 32. The shelf extension leaves 50 and 51 assume the dotted position as shown by the numerals 76 and 77, respectively.

The uppermost portion of the shelf panel unit 31 containing insulation 62 isshown in' Fig. 5. The vertical guide strips 52 are used to maintain the stack of packages 74 in a vertical column and guide the packages 74 into the'shelf ejection rack 32.

The stack of packages 74 in Fig. 5 clearly shows the manner in which the vertical guide strips 52 and the side vertical guide strips 47 guide the packages in the shelf ejectionrack 32. The setback 78 in the forward bottommost portion of each ofthe' two vertical guide strips 52 permits the free operation of the spring 79 which retracts the shelf ejection rack 32. The rearward edge 80 of the vertical guide strip52 serves as the forward verticalg'uide for the column of-packagcs 74. The'insulated front panel '62 is shownwiththe slotted placard holder 63 and the placard 64 also in Fig. 5. In place ofthe ent plastic material, or the'like maybe used that is her metically sealed for the purpose of providing some insulation and its transparency would permit the contents of the column of packages 74 to be viewed by the user of the said display cabinet.

Fig. 6 shows the opening 82 which is used to permit the placing of packages 74 in a vertical column.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 7, 8, and 9, the package 73 is contained by the shelf ejection rack 32 and said package 73 is in readiness for ejection from the shelf panel unit 31 (Fig. 3). Stops 83 have been placed on either side of the shelf extension rack 32' to arrest the forward motion of the shelf ejection rack 32, in order that it will be pulled out of the said display cabinet shelf panel unit 31 only a limited distance, this limit is determined by the size of the merchandise contained within the said shelf ejection rack 32. The shelf extension leaves 50 and 51 are shown in their retracted position and the pins about which the leaves pivot are designated by the numerals 85, 86, and 87. In Fig. 8 the manner in which the floor 48 of the shelf ejection rack 32 is supported by the vertical guide strips 47 is shown. A similar floor is provided for each succeeding column. Notches 84 have beenplaced in the vertical guide strips 47 in order to allow passage of the shelf ejection rack 32. The spring 79 is fixed at the position designated by numeral 89 about the extension leaf 51 and a hole 88 in the floor 48 of the she f ejection rack 32, or otherwise suitably attached to the extension leaf 51 and about the pin 87. The forward extension leaf 50 is fastened to the shelf ejection rack 32 by a clip 90 and a pin 85. The two extension leaves 50 and 51 are hinged about the pin 86. Fig. 9 shows a user of the said cabinet pulling the handle 49 of a shelf ejection rack 32 which permits the package 73 to drop from the shelf ejection rack 32. The extension of the canopy 65 permits. lights to be concealed under the canopy 65 for the purpose of illuminating the advertising media 71 in the handle 49 of the shelf ejection rack 32.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 10, the handle 49 has been pulled outwardly to the package ejection position and a single package 73 has dropped through the shelf ejection rack sides 32 to the position 91 where it may readily be removed by the user of said cabinet. The extension leaves 50 and 51 are in the extended position working against the spring 79 and building up a return tension. The floor 48 extends outwardly to the front of the shelf panel unit 31 whereit has a s ight drop 95 to permit readily the dropping of the package 73 to the position 91. The shelf ejection rack 32 has a bent flange V 96 that strengthens and stilfens the shelf ejection rack 32 and permits'it to slide in notches 84 (Fig. 8) and be stopped from further outward extension by the vertical strips 75. The action of pulling the handle 49 outwardly causes the extension leaf 50 to raise the column of packages 74 from the position shown by the numeral 97 to the position designated by the numeral 98. In so doing, the extension leaf 51 is also brought under the column of packages 74 and serves to hold the column in the upward position 98 until the shelf extension rack 32 is brought back by the spring 79 to the fully retracted position. When the shelf ejection rack 32 is fully retracted the column of packages 74 falls to the floor 48 of the shelf, where another package 99 then is in position ready to be removed from the shelf panel unit 31 by the shelf ejection rack 32. Each of the shelf ejection racks ejects only one package at a time, irregardless of the length of the rack. The handle 49 has a plate 92 attached for the purpose of sea ing the entrance of the shelf ejection rack 32 when the rack 32 is in the retracted position. This plate impinges upon the lower lip 100 of the front panel 62 in the uppermost shelf, and on the lip 95 formed by the floor 48 extended outwardly. In the case of the shelf ejection rack 101 below the uppermost shelf ejection rack 32, the seal is formed on the uppermost part by the top of the plate 139 and the lip 6 95, and on the lowermost part by the bottomof the handle plate 94 and the lip 102 of the floor 103 below the Hour 48.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 11 and-12, the side panels 22 and 22' on either side or. both sides of the said display cabinet may provide for the dispensing of canned merchandise, namely frozen or frosted juices. Advertising placards 29 and 30 or the like may be contained in slotted holders 27 and 28 above the plurality of slidingdoors 26 of glass, Plexiglas or the like which are opened upwardly in order to remove the canned goods from said side panel. The lower side panel 112 is shown in the open or loading position where the metallic or nonmetallic sheet 107, as the case may be, containing dividers 108 separate the canned merchandise into compartments in the side panel 112. The side panel 112 is swung about on a plurality of hinges 109 so that in the closed and locked 104 position as demonstrated by the side panel 113 above, the lock part 106 is forced into the lock part 105 thereby closing the side panel 112. When theside panel 112 is in the closed position it is refrigerated by its proximity to a refrigerant contained either in coils 110 or in roll-bond sheets 111. j

A sectional view, Fig. 12, of the side panel 112 shows how a plurality of cans 114 contained in the side panel 112 are held in check by a divider 119 so that only one can 120 at a time is retrievaole by the user who slides the door 26 upwardly by lifting the handle 115 causing the sliding door 26 to be lifted upwardly in a groove 121 in the side panel 112. The side panel 112 is insulated as shown by the numerals 116 and 118, however the top of the panel 117 is open for loading purposes.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 13 and 14, which demonstrates an mternate method of fabrication of the canopy 20, the front .33 of the canopy 20 is provided with an aperture 126 through which an advertising screen 34 is visible. This screen 34' is on two reels 122 on either side of the aperture 126. The right hand reel 122 is driven by a small electric motor 127. In Fig. 14 the screen 34' is shown, in section, about the reels 122 with the forward, visible portion of the screen 128 next to the aperture 126 and the rearward portion of the screen 123 away from the aperture and separated by a long, narrow light tube 124 which provides illumination for the advertising message contained on the screen 128.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 15 and 16, the Unwanted Boxes covered opening 36 is hinged 129 onto a larger hinged 130 insulated and refrigerated container 38'. The overselected items are placed in the slotted opening 36' and the items are removed by opening the larger container 38' which is refrigerated and insulated in order to maintain the items contained therein in a suitable frozen condition. In Fig. 16 the unwanted boxes container 132 is shown together with insulated floor 134 and hinged and insulated front panel 133. The refrigerating pipe 131, coil, plate, or sheet is shown on the top side of the container 132 which is insulated on all sides to maintain refrigeration within the container.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 17, which is an alternate method of fabricating the shelf panel unit 31, the packages are long rectangular boxes 73' that are maintained in orderly vertical columns by the vertical guide strips 52' in the front to back direction of the shelf panel unit 31, and by the vertical guide strips 47 in the side to side direction of the said shelf panel 31. The horizontal strips 46' are attached to the panel 62' in front and to the backplate 42 in the rear. Openings 82' are provided in order to load the packages 73 into the shelf panel unit 31'.

While the preferred forms of the improvement have been described and illustrated herein, it is to be understood that the same may be varied within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim: V s

1. In adispensing display cabinet, a base, a plurality of interchangeable andgremovable casing units open at the top and bottom thereof and stacked on said base, a removable top covering the open end of the uppermost unit of said casing units {each of said units having at rate slidable package ejection means extending from the.

frontwall of said rack to the bottom of each of said vertical guide. chutes,v said means being in superposed alignment from the 'bottom ofsaid rack upwardly, and each means ejecting at the front wall of said rack.

2. A-dispensing display cabinet as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said slidable package ejecting means includes a slide plate at the bottom of each of said vertical guide chutes, said slide plate extending from the rear of said chute to the front of said rack, a package ejecting drawer slidable on said plate, said drawer being open at the top and bottom thereof, and spring means normally retracting said drawer into closed position.

3. A dispensing display cabinet as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said slidable package ejecting means includes a slide plate at the bottom of each of said vertical guide chutes, said slide plate extending from the rear of said chute to the front of said rack, a package ejecting drawer slidable on said plate, said drawer being open at the top and bottom thereof, stop means limiting the outward movement of said drawer from said rack, and spring means normally retracting said drawer into closed position.

4. In a dispensing display cabinet, a walled enclosure forming a casing, at least one package dispensing and storage rack slidable outwardly from ahoused position in said casing to a fully extended position, said rackhaving a. front wall and a plurality of vertical guide front to rear of said slidable rack, and said chutes further being open at the topto admit packages forrefilling when said rack is in extended positio'ml each of; said chutes from rear to frontot said rack beingsh'ortei' in length than the adjacent chute, and separate slidablejpackage ejection means extending from matron wall of said rack to the bottom of each of said vertical guide'chutes, said means being in superposed alignment from the bottom of said rack upwardly and each ejecting at the front wall of said rack. a

5. A dispensing display cabinet as set forth in claim 4, wherein the said slidable package ejecting means includes a slide plate at the bottom of each of saidvertical guide chutes, said slide plate extending from the rear of said chute to the front of said rack, a package ejecting ,drawer slidable on said plate, said drawer being open at the top and bottom thereof, and spring means normally retracting said drawer into closed position,

6. A dispensing display cabinet as set forth in claim 4, wherein the said slidable package ejecting means includes a slide plate at the bottom of each of said. vertical guide' chutes, said slide plate extending from the rear of said chuteto the front of said rack, a package ejecting drawer slidable on said plate, said drawer being open at the top and bottom thereof, stop means limitingthe outward movement of saiddrawer from said rack, and spring means normally retracting said drawer into closed posi tion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 427,093 Lennon '....4 May 6, 1890 1,564,540 Dinwiddie -Dec. 8, 1925 1,577,301 Schultz Mar. 16, 1926 1,713,333 Economos May 14, 1929 1,999,021 'Marsh Apr. 23, 1935 2,021,659 Judkins NOV. 19, 1935 2,118,994 Wade May 31, 1938 2,167,855 Simons Aug. 1,1939 2,239,196 Luuvik Apr. 22, 1941 2,380,093 Wilder -Q July 10, 1945 2,467,799 Archer Apr. 19, 1949 2,475,738 Epplin July. 12, 1949 2,476,877 Knott et 211. Q July 19,1949 2,499,088 Brill et a1. Feb. 28, 1950 2,663,158 Sanders Dec. 22, 1953 

